St Kilda must rise to occasion: Watters

Date: April 24 2013

Sam Lienert

St Kilda coach Scott Watters has challenged his players to make a statement about who they are and embrace the spirit of a `finals-like' Anzac Day AFL battle with Sydney in Wellington on Thursday night.

Watters says the Saints risk their season losing relevance if they can't improve on their 1-3 record.

But the big stage of the AFL's first premiership season match outside Australia, combined with the significance of Anzac Day, gives them the chance to not only improve that record but build their culture.

"On this particular day, this particular stage, with so many people watching, it's an opportunity for players to show what they stand for, on both sides I guess," Watters told reporters in Wellington in Wednesday.

"You've got to take those opportunities, whether you're a young player or an older player, to make a statement on what type of player you are.

"It's not a final, but these sort of games have that sort of feel."

Swans coach John Longmire said his players would also relish that opportunity.

"To play that first game outside Australia for four points, is a really significant thing," Longmire said.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt said he had looked on enviously in past seasons at the traditional Collingwood-Essendon Anzac Day blockbuster and the Saints were determined to play their part in a piece of AFL history.

"It's a momentous occasion," Riewoldt said.

"As a playing group we feel really privileged to be doing that and our effort on game day will reflect that."

Watters acknowledged the Saints needed wins to stay in the finals hunt.

"You've just got to take your chances when they're there if you want to stay relevant," he said.

The two clubs will play for the newly-struck Simpson-Henderson Trophy, to be presented by NZ Prime Minister John Key, honouring Australia's John Simpson and New Zealand's Richard Henderson, both of whom used a donkey to carry wounded soldiers from the frontline at Gallipoli.

An Anzac Day Medal will go to the player who best embodies the Anzac spirit.

The Saints have lost forwards Stephen Milne (suspension) and Beau Maister (wrist) but out-of-favour veteran Justin Koschitzke is unlikely to be recalled.

"At this stage he's an emergency ... we'll make our final call in the morning," Watters said.

The Swans, who sustained their first loss against Geelong last Friday night, have lost Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee).

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